With one of the largest crowds in attendance so far, the Italy Gladiator Baseball team met up with the Frost Polar Bears on Friday night at home for a challenging district game. The teams played 6 innings but when the dust cleared and everyone went home, Italy defeated the Polar Bears 11-0.

This Easter, Central Baptist invites you to experience all the passion, all the drama and all the wonder of the Cross on Sunday, April 4th at 10:45 a.m. Join them as Pastor Todd presents a dramatic presentation of how the greatest love man has ever known came through the greatest instrument of suffering man has ever devised.

Game On Athletics, owned and operated by Erick & Shelly Thompson, celebrated their Grand Opening on Saturday in downtown Italy. There were hotdogs, beverages and candy for the kids as excited patrons stopped in to admire the selection of shirts and caps.

There will be a called meeting of the Italy City Council on Monday, March 29, 2010 at 7:00pm. The meeting will be held in the Council Chambers of the Italy Municipal Building, 105 Main Street. The meeting is open to the public.

Pastor Algua R. Isaac, church family and friends gathered at the Union Missionary Baptist Church on Williams Street on Saturday morning to hold a dedication service for their new church. The new site is located on Derrs Chapel Road across from the Trinity Mission Health and Rehab.

The Italy Ministerial Alliance invites all of the Italy Community to the Easter Sunrise Service Sunday, April 4, 2010, 7:00 a.m. The service will take place at the Reeves’ property south of town known as ‘Dripping Springs’.

Meals-on-Wheels of Johnson & Ellis Counties has events planned for its annual “March for Meals” campaign. Today, they hosted area mayors and elected officials for “Mayors For Meals,” as a part of the Campaign. The event included 39 local mayors and elected officials delivering meals in their communities.

Changes within the law now requires Booster Clubs to separate from their ISD’s umbrella. These requirements and guidelines with be discussed at the meeting Thursday, March 25, 2010 at 6:30 p.m. in the Italy High School Library. It is imperative that there be more parent involvement in order to keep the Booster Club moving forward.

To end the month-long “March for Meals” celebration, Meals-on-Wheels of Johnson and Ellis Counties is hosting its annual benefit, “Remember When…A Fabulous 40’s Fling,” on Saturday, March 27. It will be held at the National Guard Armory located at 618 N. Grand in Waxahachie.

Italy took on Faith Family of Oak Cliff on Tuesday night with such a vengeance there was only one strike out for Italy and the final score was 24-0. Coaches Coker and Ward held the Gladiators back from raising the score even higher.

Charlotte Rosson, age 66, of Milford, passed away Sunday, March 21, 2010 at her home. She was born September 9, 1943 in Waxahachie to Joe F. and Dollie Mae (Potter) Rosson. Charlotte was a member of the Milford Presbyterian Church, where she served as the church treasurer and organist.

During a regularly scheduled meeting of the Ellis County Commissioners’ Court on Monday, March 22, 2010, Jim Sabonis of First Southwest Company presented an analysis of potential savings relating to the county’s outstanding general obligation bonds.

The Royal Ambassadors and their leaders from Central Baptist Church in Italy, Texas, are getting ready to pack another “Bucket of Hope” for Haiti earthquake victims. After filling the buckets, the RAs prayed for the people who would receive the food as well as for the safety of those responsible for transporting and delivering them.

You might notice Coach Coker walking on air these days, his feet a few feet off the ground. The reason? The Italy Gladiator Baseball team. Why would that be? The game on Friday night proved to be another no hitter game (ok, that’s three in a row now).

There will be a regular meeting of the Italy Economic Development Corporation on Monday, March 22 at 7:00pm. The meeting will be held in the council chambers of the Italy Municipal Building, 105 Main Street. Slated on the agenda is discussion and consideration regarding the EDC funding a Community Center Project

James McAfee of Ennis never wants to see another can of fruit cocktail again. The Meals-on-Wheels client recalled an incident during World War II when he was hunkered down in a fox hole and decided to crawl into the officer’s mess hall and check out what the other half was eating.

On Monday, March 22nd the Italy ISD Board of Trustees will have their regular monthly meeting. The meeting will be held in the Band Hall of the Italy High School campus (300 College) and will begin at 7:00pm. Agenda items include teacher resignations, teacher contract recommendations and renewals and an acknowledgement of donated funds. The superintendent will also report regarding the football field renovations that are currently underway.

The Ellis County District Clerk’s office is hosting a Passport Fair in Waxahachie, Texas on Saturday, March 27, 2010 from 10:00 am until 3:00 pm to provide passport information to U.S. citizens and to accept passport applications.

The IYAA will be passing out end of the season basketball trophies and coaches plaques in front of Game On Athletics during their grand opening on Saturday, March 27, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Meet Game On Athletics owner, Erick Thompson, and have a hotdog!

The Italy Gladiator JV team traveled to Axtell on Tuesday. They picked up their mitts and played a great game. The Gladiators prevented the Longhorns from scoring in the last two innings. However, the Longhorns proved to be more in the defense department and offensively scored 4 runs throughout the game. Final score Axtell 4, Italy 1.

Foiled by an Innocent Maid was an entertaining production put on by the Milford High School. Every year they do better than the last with their one act plays. This year took the prize. You have a mean villain, and yet hilarious at the same time. Don’t forget Faith Hopewell-the innocent maid- from outlandish crying, to hiding the baby in a trunk and then falling in love all at the same time- what drama!

Italy Gladiators were in full swing Monday night as Waxahachie Advantage Academy fought the battle as hard as they could but to no avail. Trevor Patterson picked up the pace and shut the Eagles out, down and all around.

The Planning and Zoning meeting began with roll call. Jimmy Hyles, Frances Kirby Allen and Joan Grabowski were present. After much discussion it was decided to approve the zoning change with a special use permit.

The Italy Athletic Booster Club will meet on Thursday, March 25 at the Italy High School Library. Meeting time is 6:30. Due to recent changes in the relationship with the Italy Athletic Booster Club and the Italy ISD there are major decisions that must be made at this meeting. All those interested in the role that the Italy Booster Club plays in support of the school and the athletes needs to be in attendance of this meeting.

Farmers Branch, Texas — The Italy Lady Gladiators Softball Team competed in the Spring Break Classic in Farmers Branch this past Thursday and Saturday. The only 1A school in the tournament, Italy finished in 3rd Place within the Silver bracket.

Melvin Junior “Pepe” Langley, age 70, of Italy, passed away Saturday evening, March 13, 2010 at Baylor Medical Center, Waxahachie. He was born February 11, 1940 in Centerville, Texas to Johnny C. and Mertie Lee (Bush) Langley. He married Carolyn Fulton in Corsicana on July 2, 1971. He retired from Dart Container in 2005 after 15 years of service.

Friday night was the perfect night to see Italy Baseball at its finest. Not only were the Gladiators great defensively, they had their bats swinging too. Waxahachie Faith Family could not get on base and lost the game 15-0.

There will be a public hearing and regular meeting of the Italy Planning and Zoning Commission today, Monday, March 15, 2010. The meeting will be held at the Italy City Hall Council Chambers at 105 Main Street, Italy. Meeting time is 6:30. Agenda items include a zoning change request of a property on Hwy 34.

Congratulations to Mr. Jesus Perez, Drum Major Jessica Hernandez, assistant Drum Major Molly Haight and the entire Gladiator Regiment Band on winning Sweepstakes for the second year in a row. And the “Beat of Champions” goes on…

Brenda Trojacek of Palmer is an adamant believer in giving back to the community. She’s been a volunteer for Meals-on-Wheels of Johnson and Ellis Counties for several years and admits she cherishes the opportunity to not only make connections with the clients she’s come to love, but her father, Thomas Tollis serves as her “wing man” once a week.

Dallas Gateway — The Italy Junior High Gladiator Track Team earned 1st place in all four divisions (7th boys, 7th girls, 8th boys & 8th girls) on Thursday at the Dallas Gateway Track Meet. A combination of Gladiator power and speed got the job done.

Ellis County Equine Association invites all local horse enthusiasts to come get ready for spring horse shows at the ECEA Warm-Up Horse Show on March 27, at the Waxahachie Rodeo Arena. The show starts at 9 a.m. with books opening at 8 a.m.

Years of hard work and commitment paid off for 16-year-old Jacqualyn Cawley of Italy during the San Antonio Livestock Show in February when she won a $10,000 scholarship with her heifer Jewls. There were over 160 Beefmasters in her division.

What a way to end the 2010 season of IYAA Basketball! In the first two games on Tuesday, Italy teams earned back-to-back wins over visiting Hillsboro. In the finale, Italy 31 pulled off the upset against, undefeated, Italy 29 in one of the most exciting games in the history of IYAA Sports.

After finishing in 1st Place with a 10-0 record in district play (28-5 overall) and ultimately finishing as regional finalists for the second year in a row, six members of the Italy Gladiator Basketball Team received all-district honors. In addition, Italy Gladiator Basketball head coach Kyle Holley was named “Coach of the Year” in district 15A.

With over 40 years experience, Monolithic, Inc., is making available its ability to spray/coat Polyurethane Foam on just about anything needing to to be made leak proof or sound proof wether it’s fortifying a roof, a shed, a cooler, a basement ceiling or even your vehicle!

Located in Ellis County, right outside of Italy, and in Navarro County in Dawson, just a short drive from Waxahachie, Hillsboro, Ennis or Corsicana, we have clean, comfortable studio efficiencies available for rent.

Dr. John Arkusinski, with Ennis Family Care, is proud to offer modern medicine for your entire family. If you are looking for a doctor who will treat you and your family from childhood through adulthood, then look to Dr. Arkusinski.

Dr. George Telatnyk, DDS at Italy Dental invites your to receive a free consultation on your first visit until October 31, 2013. All insurance policies are considered and financial arrangements can be made.

For those of you in the city of Italy and surrounding areas, Monolithic always welcomes donated medical equipment and is currently in need of all types of wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, etc. The donated items are distributed as a FREE service to those in need.

New officers were elected at the recent Gladiator Athletic Booster Club. Hats off to these parents for stepping up and giving your time to such a worthwhile club. Your willingness to volunteer in this way is greatly appreciated.

Jane Kempf, of Italy, believes in neighbors helping neighbors and her Facebook® page called South Ellis County Random Acts of Kindness has become a central location for citizens to trade/swap unwanted items. The Kempf’s also use part of their own house to take in donated items in hopes of distributing them to anyone that is in need.

The owners of the Keng Wok Chinese Restaurant in downtown Italy, Texas have decided to put the business up for sale and return to New York where they have partnered with a relative in a new restaurant venture.

These are work-horse juicers, grinders, food processors and Rife Machine that I used in my recovery. They are just like new and in excellent working order. These machines will last a lifetime and I believe are better than their new versions. Since I am recovered and need money I want to put them up for sale and offer them to you at a discount price.